Air Force Officer Facing Repercussions for Saying Jesus Influences His Decisions

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Oct 13, 2016

Air Force Officer Facing Repercussions for Saying Jesus Influences His Decisions

A U.S. Air Force officer is under fire for stating that he is a Christian and relies on Christ to guide his decisions.

ChristianToday.com reports that Lt. Col. Michael Kersten was interviewed for an article and asked if there was a leader who had a great influence on his life.

Kersten responded, "There's no one in particular. As a Christian, my example is to be like Christ. He is my guide and affects all of my decisions. He teaches to do all things as unto the Lord and I believe this is synonymous with integrity first and excellence in all we do."

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) took issue with Kersten’s answer, claiming it violated military regulations which prohibit officers from showing favoritism to a certain religion.

Mikey Wienstein, the president of the MRFF, condemned Kersten’s answer and stated that it was an example of “Christian exceptionalism” and “Christian triumphalism.”

The MRFF is calling for Kersten to be “visibly punished” and forced to apologize.

"By unequivocally stating to the world that all of his decisions are based upon his Christian faith, he has broadcast to his otherwise helpless subordinates, and the multitudes of other military and civilian members which the Air Force Squadron he now commands directly and indirectly serves, that he will, in a professional setting, place decision-making primacy on his personal version of his Christian religious faith over his official military duty," Weinstein wrote in his letter to the air base where Kersten is stationed.

 

Publication date: October 13, 2016



Air Force Officer Facing Repercussions for Saying Jesus Influences His Decisions